The FIFA Council has agreed to introduce a pilot tournament of an enlarged 24-team Club World Cup in 2021 despite opposition from Europe's top clubs.

It will replace the current seven-team annual Club World Cup, which is currently played in December, with an expanded quadrennial version in June-July 2021.

Friday's announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino despite a letter from Europe's elite clubs telling him they will not take part in the competition.

The stark message was handed to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin from the European Club Association, which represents 232 of the continent's leading teams, and was sent via email on Tuesday, three days before the crucial meeting in Miami on Friday.

The letter has been signed by Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, Celtic's Peter Lawwell and the bosses of Ajax, Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG.

More to follow...

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